Bronco Off Grid Power Setup with Bluetti Charger 2 (w/ Bidirectional Charging)

[RustysBronco]

Thanks for sharing this Rusty! Love the setup.

I have a Bluetti that's maybe 4 years old, so it's not bidirectional and I don't have those connectors on it. It's a 800w battery that runs my Dometic 35 for roughly 2 days of camping and I of course recharge while driving. I keep extra fuses for the 12v cable in the fridge cover as they blow regularly.

I need to look into installing that Charger 2; first I've seen it. I also keep a NOCO HD but having to keep that thing juiced every few months is a pain, as it's 5 years old now and the charging connector is older and not even USB C.

So, do you think I can find a charge cable to connect the Charger 2 to my older Bluetti, or does it have a 12v? Doesn't look like it in the pics of it, so need to do more research I guess. Also, did you have to get a special mount or just find a space to screw it in? I have a 2 Dr, so working with limited space. If the charger 2 has a small battery that can keep my Bronco main battery charged up a little longer or in an emergency, that would be great.

So here are the compatible batteries with the back up battery port - not sure if yours is one of those. If not, you can use the XT60 plug/source to power your smaller/older unit. However, you won't be able to reverse charge the Bronco unless you're using one of the compatible ones.

Mounting-wise, no special bracket needed. It’s about the size of a thick paperback book. Most people just screw it to a panel, seat base, or rack plate. In a 2-door you could tuck it behind an interior trim panel in the cargo area or on a cargo panel or molle panel.

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[RustysBronco]

So here are the compatible batteries with the back up battery port - not sure if yours is one of those. If not, you can use the XT60 plug/source to power your smaller/older unit. However, you won't be able to reverse charge the Bronco unless you're using one of the compatible ones.

Mounting-wise, no special bracket needed. It’s about the size of a thick paperback book. Most people just screw it to a panel, seat base, or rack plate. In a 2-door you could tuck it behind an interior trim panel in the cargo area or on a cargo panel or molle panel.

In the app, it also lets you select the Bluetti model plugged in the portable power station port. Assuming yours is on that list, the app will automatically adjust the power flow to what your unit can handle.

 

[RustysBronco]

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Not sponsored. Those guys want "real influencers." Not some amateur weekender like me who's not afraid to shit on a product if I think it's bad.

 

[RustysBronco]

You buddy's wife....en.

I guess her effort was worth while cause 9 months later she gave birth to twins.

 

[redone17]

Right on! Pretty much the exact setup I’m working on. I’ve been running an AC60 for a few years. Bought the Charger 2 and found out that it doesn’t support back feeding. So, now I’m in the market for an AC200L. It’s a bit bigger than I’d like to carry around on the regular - but, I recently bought Turn Offroad window molle to mount the Charger 2 like you have and I’ll be able to move a few items I have lower in the cargo up to the window to alleviate the loss of space.

 

[Aaron1121]

Thanks for posting this!

I recently bought a Charger 2 and Elite 100v2 and was just getting ready to install it.

A few questions on your install:

How long does it take the charger 2 to fully turn off when the vehicle is stopped?
I was thinking about running a D+ signal cable on the Charger 2 to an aux switch to have control of when it’s off and on. I had a problem with the Charger 1 never turning off and draining my battery while in standby on my truck.

Did you use 4 or 6 awg wire For the battery run?

How did you run it? Passenger side channel, driver side, or under?

What shelf and Molle panels do you have?

I’m ready to do the same install, but have been debating where to mount the charger 2. Some people mount the Charger 1 inside the driver cargo panel, but I don’t think the charger 2 will fit. it fits in the rear cargo pocket or under the floor, but limits access.

My wife and I like to take the top off the Bronco, and I’m trying to avoid any molle panels above the cargo area. It seems like there are limited shelf options.

 

[Beach_Bum]

...

My wife and I like to take the top off the Bronco, and I’m trying to avoid any molle panels above the cargo area. It seems like there are limited shelf options.

You can buy just the lower panels from American Adventure Lab for the 4-dr Bronco.

 

[Phil B]

I have the Anker version. It doesn’t reverse charge yet, they are supposed to release the update for that by spring.

EDIT: The Bluetti charger 2 was not out when I pulled the trigger on my setup, or I might have gone a different route. I'm not unhappy though. The Anker charger is not as powerful but still draws so much current that I have it dialed back to ease the load on my alternator. I can't plug solar into it, that's really the only thing I might wish it had. The reverse charging is not functional yet, and will take a different cable. I'm real curious to see if it's going to be one way only via a cable swap or if it's just a setting change in the app. You can choose how long it stays powered on when key is off, and adjust when it is actively charging based on the vehicle's battery voltage level. You can also adjust how many watts of charge it's producing.

I ran the cable down the passenger side, my drivers side didn't have room because of the cable to my amp and other wires I've added. I couldn't tell you how many times I've pulled my cargo shelf, Molle panels, and all the plastic trim panels off. I've used a lot of wing nuts to make it easier. I've got more stuff to add from front to back when it warms up, I'm hoping one more time pulling panels off and I'm done.

 

[RustysBronco]

Thanks for posting this!

I recently bought a Charger 2 and Elite 100v2 and was just getting ready to install it.

A few questions on your install:

How long does it take the charger 2 to fully turn off when the vehicle is stopped?
I was thinking about running a D+ signal cable on the Charger 2 to an aux switch to have control of when it’s off and on. I had a problem with the Charger 1 never turning off and draining my battery while in standby on my truck.

Did you use 4 or 6 awg wire For the battery run?

How did you run it? Passenger side channel, driver side, or under?

What shelf and Molle panels do you have?

I’m ready to do the same install, but have been debating where to mount the charger 2. Some people mount the Charger 1 inside the driver cargo panel, but I don’t think the charger 2 will fit. it fits in the rear cargo pocket or under the floor, but limits access.

My wife and I like to take the top off the Bronco, and I’m trying to avoid any molle panels above the cargo area. It seems like there are limited shelf options.

Appreciate the questions. Grabbing dinner with family but will reply when I can.

 

[murphtron]

I found that I don’t need much power on the trails. I have a Bluetti AC180 but found it overkill and huge. I settled on a Ecoflow Trail 300 which only has USB/12V outputs. It’s very compact. Powers my fridge and if I need to charge a radio I can do it via USB. Have small LED camp lights. But I mostly sit in the dark or in front of a fire.

My fridge doesn’t consume much power (assuming the car isn’t blistering hot). I don’t base camp and the Ecoflow charges when driving. Works for me. I keep it simple. I should get a jump starter however.

 

[Rydfree]

Glad I ran across this thread. Just waiting on my charger 2 and some free time that it isn't 20 degrees outside.

 

[bsh]

I love this. Thanks for sharing. Bookmarked (for when my Bronco finally comes in <sniff>)

A pet peeve of mine is that with all the EV & Hybrid progress and tech, somehow ICE vehicles are putting the same batteries in and making us all suffer. I saw another forum where the dealer was telling someone they "need to drive more" to keep the battery healthy. Maybe... or maybe build a more robust product if they're gonna put all this tech in.

Rant over - elegant and nice looking solution. I'm inspired!

 

[redone17]

I found that I don’t need much power on the trails. I have a Bluetti AC180 but found it overkill and huge. I settled on a Ecoflow Trail 300 which only has USB/12V outputs. It’s very compact. Powers my fridge and if I need to charge a radio I can do it via USB. Have small LED camp lights. But I mostly sit in the dark or in front of a fire.

My fridge doesn’t consume much power (assuming the car isn’t blistering hot). I don’t base camp and the Ecoflow charges when driving. Works for me. I keep it simple. I should get a jump starter however.

I’m in a similar boat. The AC60 is plenty MOST of the time. I’ve cut it close a few two night stays. If it’s sunny out - the solar can keep it topped off. But, if I’m in the woods or it’s cloudy - I’m always spread thin. The main reason I want to upgrade to the AC200L is because it will back charge the starter battery along with the Charger 2. With more capacity I won’t have to worry about running several hot water sessions for coffee (one round drops my charge 10%) and can add on more electric kitchen devices.

 

[murphtron]

I’m in a similar boat. The AC60 is plenty MOST of the time. I’ve cut it close a few two night stays. If it’s sunny out - the solar can keep it topped off. But, if I’m in the woods or it’s cloudy - I’m always spread thin. The main reason I want to upgrade to the AC200L is because it was back charge the starter battery along with the Charger 2. With more capacity I won’t have to worry about running several hot water sessions for coffee (one round drops my charge 10%) and can add on more electric kitchen devices.

Out of curiosity why don’t you use propane to boil water? I tested out my kitchen electric kettle and was amazed how much power it consumes. But that’s the nature of resistive electric usage.

I’ve been thinking of getting one of those Japanese butane burners. Quite compact but also burns very hot. Good for searing or wok cooking.

 

[redone17]

Out of curiosity why don’t you use propane to boil water? I tested out my kitchen electric kettle and was amazed how much power it consumes. But that’s the nature of resistive electric usage.

I’ve been thinking of getting one of those Japanese butane burners. Quite compact but also burns very hot. Good for searing or wok cooking.

I do if I have it the full kitchen gear kit with me. But I ALWAYS have my Aeropress and the electric water heater onboard for making a quick cup while out fishing or snowboarding, etc.

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